Natasha Janet Dionne Fairs

Findings — machine-extracted (anthropic-batch:claude-opus-4-8); verify against the decision

While practising as a solicitor in the Serious Injury Team at Irwin Mitchell LLP, the Respondent, between February 2020 and April 2023, created time records that were inaccurate, misleading and in excess of the time actually spent on client matters. She deliberately selected files where time would be written off (costs already agreed or files closed) so the inflated time went undetected, recording on some days far more chargeable hours than possible (e.g. over 20 hours). Though no clients were harmed, her conduct disadvantaged colleagues (who received smaller fee allocations) and the Firm (affecting WIP, staffing and fee forecasts), and benefited her through bonuses and promotion to Senior Associate. The matter was dealt with on the papers via an agreed outcome. The Respondent admitted the allegation in full, including dishonesty. The Tribunal expressly found her conduct dishonest, deliberate, calculated and sustained, and found no exceptional circumstances. She was struck off the Roll and ordered to pay costs of £5,200.

Duties found breached:

• Good faith and courtesy to colleagues
• Non-discriminatory acceptance and cab-rank

Aggravating factors:

• Conduct repeated on numerous occasions over a period of at least three years
• Conduct was likely to have continued but for colleagues alerting the Firm
• Conduct was planned and calculated, not impulsive - she selected files where time would be written off
• Recording corresponding time in units on file but hours on the time recording system, to claim error if questioned
• Respondent was an experienced solicitor
• Respondent benefited via bonuses, performance ratings and promotion

Mitigating factors:

• Full admissions and early acceptance of the allegation and sanction
• Genuine insight, remorse and full personal responsibility
• Significant personal pressures including serious illness and death of a close family member, caring for young children, and home-schooling during the pandemic
• High-volume, low-value caseload and pressure to meet time-recording targets
• No direct harm caused to clients